Restaurant

Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay

Name: Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay
Address: 160 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA, 02116, US
Price range: $$$

Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay is one of the best american restaurants in Boston for brunch, especially if you want a strong option in Back Bay.

Buttermilk & Bourbon doesn't position itself as Back Bay's most experimental room, and that restraint is the whole argument.

Editorial review•Nov 6, 2025

Buttermilk & Bourbon doesn't position itself as Back Bay's most experimental room, and that restraint is the whole argument. In a corridor heavy with steakhouses performing sophistication and casual spots coasting on location, this kitchen commits to a New Orleans–inflected American South register with a conviction that most of its neighbors reportedly can't match. It's the room that comes up when people are planning a group dinner that needs to hold together at a twelve-top, a date night that should feel genuinely indulgent without the financial damage of the steakhouse next door, or any occasion where fried chicken is treated as a food deserving real culinary attention. At price level three, the consensus from regulars is that the craft and the portion sizes tend to move in the same direction. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken is the anchor the menu is built around — known for a crust that delivers real textural contrast and meat that stays juicy, a result diners consistently attribute to a kitchen that takes the brining process seriously. The Charred Octopus has a reputation for actual char rather than decorative browning, which is what separates it from the version on a dozen other menus in this zip code. For a slower, staged opening, the Creamy Burrata and Oysters on the Half Shell are the combination regulars reach for when the goal is to stretch the evening rather than power through it. The Fresh Fried Beignets are widely reported to be best ordered and shared immediately — the kind of dessert that doesn't improve with deliberation. The practical advice that surfaces repeatedly: build the meal around the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and one of the seafood starters rather than spreading across the full menu. Thursday evenings are said to offer the room at its most energetic without the weekend-crush intensity. Request a booth over the main floor if availability allows.

Priya Sharma, Dining Editor

Methodology•Boston guides•Editorial team

cocktail brunch date night

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Taste ID

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Rating (Google) 8.8

2,936 reviews

Boston

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

8.8

Rating

Based on 2936 reviews

Best for

brunch and date night

Price and pace

More of a night out

Neighborhood

Back Bay · 160 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116, USA

Price

More of a night out

Google rating

8.8 from 2,936 reviews

Address

Back Bay | 160 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116, USA

Inside the restaurant

Photos of Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay

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What to order

Signature dishes at Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay

Oysters on The ½ Shell

pink pepper mignonette, Crystal cocktail sauce, horseradish cream

Charred Octopus

smoked chili butter, warm Sea Island red pea salad, orange & shaved fennel salad

Creamy Burrata

tomato jam, hot honey focaccia, pickled rhubarb, pistachio-benne seed crunch

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Nashville hot, sweet & spicy, bbq syrup or white bbq sauce

Marinated Skirt Steak Frites

rosemary fries, sticky bbq onions, roasted corn salsa verde

Why go

What makes Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay worth the move

Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay looks like a good night-out option in Back Bay in Boston because it reads polished without feeling overly formal. Oysters on The ½ Shell and Charred Octopus also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.8 rating across 2,936 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

8.8 from 2,936 Google reviews

Best for

brunch and date night

Style

American in Back Bay

Spend

More of a night out

Best for

cocktail brunch date night

Know before you go

Google rating: 8.8 from 2,936 reviews

Price point: $$$

Popular dishes: Oysters on The ½ Shell, Charred Octopus, Creamy Burrata

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Priya Sharma for Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay

Google snapshot

8.8 from 2,936 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Priya Sharma

No diner notes for Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay yet.

Every note in this section is written by a diner who actually ate here, so we leave it empty until there's a genuine one to share.

For now, Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay holds a 8.8 rating across 2,936 Google reviews.

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Plan the visit

Quick details

Visit Website Menu Directions

Address: 160 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116, USA
Price: $$$
TastyPals score: Coming soon
Google rating: 8.8 (2,936 reviews)
Cuisine: American
Neighborhood: Back Bay

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Restaurants in Back Bay

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay serve?

Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay is a American restaurant located in Back Bay, Boston. Buttermilk & Bourbon doesn't position itself as Back Bay's most experimental room, and that restraint is the whole argument.

What is Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay best for?

Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay is best for cocktail, brunch, date night. Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay looks like a good night-out option in Back Bay in Boston because it reads polished without feeling overly formal. Oysters on The ½ Shell and Charred Octopus also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.8 rating across 2,936 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay?

Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay is in the More of a night out price range ($$$). Google rating: 8.8 from 2,936 reviews

What should I order at Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay?

Start with Oysters on The ½ Shell, Charred Octopus, Creamy Burrata and Buttermilk Fried Chicken. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay worth visiting?

Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay holds a 8.8 Google rating from 2,936 reviews. Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay looks like a good night-out option in Back Bay in Boston because it reads polished without feeling overly formal. Oysters on The ½ Shell and Charred Octopus also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.8 rating across 2,936 Google reviews.

Where is Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay located?

Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay is located at 160 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02116, USA. Directions are available via Google Maps.

Is Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay good for a date night?

Yes — Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay is tagged for date night dining. Buttermilk & Bourbon - Back Bay looks like a good night-out option in Back Bay in Boston because it reads polished without feeling overly formal. Oysters on The ½ Shell and Charred Octopus also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.8 rating across 2,936 Google reviews.

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